RE: strange request...

My first choice for a quick and easy count would be to look at the explant
under Nomarski, take some pictures and count away. (place gel between slide
and coverglass) Keep in mind if the cells are migrating onto the gel they
are most likely also migrating into the gel. Do you have access to a
confocal microscope? This can give you a 3D reconstruction of the explant
and any cells that have migrated away from the original mass. I love the
DAPI idea let us know if it works. aj